U.S. patent application number 15/248396 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for high-performance eco-friendly non-emulsifier.
This patent application is currently assigned to RHODIA OPERATIONS. The applicant listed for this patent is RHODIA OPERATIONS. Invention is credited to Thomas DECOSTER, Aaron LAU, Amit SEHGAL.
Application Number | 20170058189 15/248396 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58101129 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170058189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEHGAL; Amit ; et
al. |
March 2, 2017 |
HIGH-PERFORMANCE ECO-FRIENDLY NON-EMULSIFIER
Abstract
A method for demulsifying an emulsion of oil and water including
the step of contacting the emulsion with a composition that
includes an amphoteric surfactant and a solvent. Demulsifying
compositions are also provided.
Inventors: |
SEHGAL; Amit; (Cherry Hill,
NJ) ; LAU; Aaron; (Lower Gwynedd, PA) ;
DECOSTER; Thomas; (Atascadero, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RHODIA OPERATIONS |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
RHODIA OPERATIONS
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
58101129 |
Appl. No.: |
15/248396 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62210189 |
Aug 26, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 17/047 20130101;
C09K 8/68 20130101; C09K 8/84 20130101; C09K 8/035 20130101; C09K
8/86 20130101; C09K 8/62 20130101; C10G 33/04 20130101; E21B 21/068
20130101; C09K 8/602 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C09K 8/60 20060101
C09K008/60; B01D 17/04 20060101 B01D017/04; C09K 8/86 20060101
C09K008/86 |
Claims
1. A method for demulsifying an emulsion of oil and water, the
method comprising: contacting the emulsion with an aqueous phase
composition comprising an amphoteric surfactant and a solvent,
wherein the combined concentration of the amphoteric surfactant and
solvent ranges from greater than 0% to less than 1%, and
demulsifying the emulsion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises
a non-ionic surfactant.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the amphoteric surfactant is
selected from the group consisting of alkyl betaines and alkyl
amido betaines.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the amphoteric surfactant is
cocoamidopropyl betaine.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises an aromatic
alcohol.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the solvent is benzyl
alcohol.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is
selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol
propoxylates, and alcohol propoxylate ethoxylate copolymers.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the emulsion is an oil-in-water
emulsion.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the water phase is brine with
dissolved salts or acid.
10. A demulsifying composition for an emulsion of oil and water,
the composition comprising a blend of at least one alcohol
alkoxylate, an amphoteric surfactant, and a solvent.
11. The composition of claim 10 further comprising at least one
anionic surfactant.
12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the anionic surfactant is
selected from the group consisting of mono or dialkyl phosphates
and sulfosuccinates.
13. The composition of claim 10, wherein the solvent comprises at
least one dibasic ester.
14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the dibasic ester is
selected from the group consisting of dialkyl methylglutarate,
dialkyl adipate, dialkyl ethylsuccinate, dialkyl succinate, dialkyl
glutarate, and combinations thereof.
15. The composition of claim 10, wherein the amphoteric surfactant
is selected from the group consisting of alkyl betaines and alkyl
amido betaines.
16. The composition of claim 10, wherein the solvent comprises an
aromatic alcohol.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority under
35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
62/210,189, filed on Aug. 26, 2015, the entire disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Natural resources such as gas, oil, minerals, and water
residing in subterranean formations can be recovered by drilling
wells in the formations. Emulsions comprising oil and water
commonly occur in the extraction, production, and processing and
refining of oil. For example, as an aqueous fluid is forced into
oil-bearing rock, the high shear could result in very viscous
emulsions down hole that would impede flow-back and delay
production. Non-emulsifiers are an essential component in
fracturing fluids. They are added to prevent viscous oil-water
emulsion formation and facilitate its rapid breakdown during
hydraulic fracturing. An effective non-emulsifier can significantly
enhance well recovery and facilitate quick production reducing
down-time losses.
[0003] Non-emulsifiers are sold in a wide variety of formulations
because their efficacy is dictated by the type of crude oil in the
formation which can vary from well to well and for various
applications and brines. Also, the quality of crude within a single
producing well can vary from time to time. It is therefore
extremely difficult to formulate a non-emulsifier composition that
is effective in a broad range of crudes and for different brines
with varying rock types (sandstone, limestone etc.). Current
non-emulsifier formulations also largely do not have a favorable
health, safety and environmental profile. Such formulations often
contain formaldehyde resins or hazardous solvents like naptha
(containing BTEX) or hazardous surfactant blends e.g. amines and
quats.
[0004] Thus, there is a need for environmentally-friendly
non-emulsifiers that are effective over a broad range of crudes for
different rock types.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure provides a method for demulsifying an
emulsion of oil and water, wherein the method includes the steps of
contacting the emulsion with an aqueous phase composition that
includes an amphoteric surfactant and a solvent, wherein the
combined concentration of the amphoteric surfactant and solvent
ranges from greater than 0% to less than 1%, and demulsifying the
emulsion. In an embodiment the composition further includes a
non-ionic surfactant.
[0006] The present disclosure also provides a demulsifying
composition for an emulsion of oil and water, wherein the
composition includes a blend of at least one alcohol alkoxylate, an
amphoteric surfactant, and a solvent.
[0007] Also provided is a demulsifying composition for an emulsion
of oil and water, wherein the composition includes a blend of at
least one alcohol alkoxylate, at least one anionic surfactant; an
amphoteric surfactant; and a solvent.
[0008] In an embodiment, the amphoteric surfactant is selected from
alkyl betaines and alkyl amido betaines. In an embodiment, the
amphoteric surfactant is cocoamidopropyl betaine.
[0009] In an embodiment, the solvent includes an aromatic alcohol.
In an embodiment, the solvent is benzyl alcohol.
[0010] In an embodiment, the non-ionic surfactant is selected from
alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, and alcohol propoxylate
ethoxylate copolymers.
[0011] In an embodiment, the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion.
In an embodiment, the water phase is brine with dissolved salts or
acid.
[0012] In an embodiment, the anionic surfactant is selected from
mono and dialkyl phosphates and sulfosuccinates.
[0013] In an embodiment, the solvent includes at least one dibasic
ester. In an embodiment, the dibasic ester is selected from dialkyl
methylglutarate, dialkyl adipate, dialkyl ethylsuccinate, dialkyl
succinate, dialkyl glutarate, and combinations thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for
demulsifying emulsions of oil and water. As used herein the term
"demulsify" means to partially or completely break down (an
emulsion) into separate substances. In general, demulsifying
compositions according to the present disclosure include an
amphoteric surfactant and a solvent. In an embodiment, the emulsion
is an oil-in-water emulsion.
[0015] In an embodiment, the amphoteric surfactant is selected from
alkyl betaines and alkyl amido betaines. In another embodiment, the
amphoteric surfactant is cocoamidopropyl betaine.
[0016] In an embodiment, the solvent is partially water soluble. In
another embodiment, the solvent includes an alcohol. In an
embodiment, the alcohol is an aromatic alcohol. In another
embodiment, the solvent is benzyl alcohol.
[0017] In an embodiment, the method includes the step of contacting
an emulsion of oil and water with an aqueous phase composition that
includes an amphoteric surfactant and a solvent and demulsifying
the emulsion. In an embodiment, the water phase is brine with
dissolved salts or acid. In an embodiment, the concentration of the
demulsifying composition ranges from greater than zero to less than
1%. In another embodiment, the composition further includes a
non-ionic surfactant.
[0018] The present disclosure also provides a demulsifying
composition for an emulsion of oil and water, wherein the
composition includes at least one non-ionic surfactant, at least
one amphoteric surfactant, and at least one solvent.
[0019] In an embodiment, the non-ionic surfactant includes one or
more alcohol alkoxylates. In an embodiment, the alcohol alkoxylate
is selected from one or more branched alcohol alkoxylates, one or
more linear alcohol alkoxylates or a combination of one or more
branched alcohol alkoxylates and one or more linear alcohol
alkoxylates. In an embodiment, the alcohol alkoxylate is selected
from alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, and alcohol
propoxylate ethoxylate copolymers.
[0020] In certain embodiments, the composition includes a blend of
at least one alcohol alkoxylate, at least one anionic surfactant,
an amphoteric surfactant, and a solvent.
[0021] The anionic surfactant includes but is not limited to linear
alkylbenzene sulfonates, alpha olefin sulfonates, paraffin
sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxy
sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl alkoxy carboxylates, alkyl
alkoxylated sulfates, monoalkyl phosphates, dialkyl phosphates,
sarcosinates, sulfosuccinates, isethionates, and taurates, as well
as mixtures thereof. Commonly used anionic surfactants that are
suitable as the anionic surfactant component of the composition of
the present invention include, for example, ammonium lauryl
sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate,
triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate,
triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate,
monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate,
diethanolamine laureth sulfate, lauric monoglyceride sodium
sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium
lauryl sulfate, potassium laureth sulfate, sodium-monoalkyl
phosphates, sodium dialkyl phosphates, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,
lauroyl sarcosine, cocoyl sarcosine, ammonium cocyl sulfate,
ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium cocyl sulfate, sodium trideceth
sulfate, sodium tridecyl sulfate, ammonium trideceth sulfate,
ammonium tridecyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, disodium
laureth sulfosuccinate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium
methyl oleoyl taurate, sodium laureth carboxylate, sodium trideceth
carboxylate, sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium cocyl sulfate,
potassium lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine cocyl sulfate, sodium
tridecyl benzene sulfonate, and sodium dodecyl benzene
sulfonate.
[0022] In an embodiment, the solvent includes one or more dibasic
esters. The one or more dibasic esters can be prepared by any
appropriate process. For example, a process for preparing the
adduct of adipic acid and of fusel oil is, for example, described
in the document "The Use of Egyptian Fusel Oil for the Preparation
of Some Plasticizers Compatible with Polyvinyl Chloride", Chuiba et
al., Indian Journal of Technology, Vol. 23, August 1985, pp.
309-311.
[0023] In an embodiment, the one or more dibasic esters are
obtained by a process that includes an "esterification" stage by
reaction of a diacid of formula HOOC-A-COOH or of a diester of
formula MeOOC-A-COOMe with a branched alcohol or a mixture of
alcohols. The reactions can be appropriately catalyzed. Use is
preferably made of at least 2 molar equivalents of alcohols per
diacid or diester. The reactions can, if appropriate, be promoted
by extraction of the reaction by-products and followed by stages of
filtration and/or of purification, for example by distillation.
[0024] The diacids in the form of mixtures can in particular be
obtained from a mixture of dinitrile compounds in particular
produced and recovered in the process for the manufacture of
adiponitrile by double hydrocyanation of butadiene. This process,
used on a large scale industrially to produce the greater majority
of the adiponitrile consumed worldwide, is described in numerous
patents and works. The reaction for the hydrocyanation of butadiene
results predominantly in the formulation of linear dinitriles but
also in formation of branched dinitriles, the two main ones of
which are methylglutaronitrile and ethylsuccinonitrile. The
branched dinitrile compounds are separated by distillation and
recovered, for example, as top fraction in a distillation column,
in the stages for separation and purification of the adiponitrile.
The branched dinitriles can subsequently be converted to diacids or
diesters (either to light diesters, for a subsequent
transesterification reaction with the alcohol or the mixture of
alcohols or the fusel oil, or directly to diesters). For example,
the blend of dibasic esters is derived or taken from the
methylglutaronitrile product stream in the manufacture of
adiponitrile.
[0025] The one or more dibasic esters may be derived from one or
more by-products in the production of polyamide, for example,
polyamide 6,6. In one embodiment, the dibasic esters include a
blend of linear or branched, cyclic or noncyclic, C.sub.1-C.sub.20
alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl esters of adipic diacids,
glutaric diacids, and succinic diacids. In another embodiment, the
dibasic esters include a blend of linear or branched, cyclic or
noncyclic, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl
esters of adipic diacids, methylglutaric diacids, and ethylsuccinic
diacids.
[0026] Generally, polyamide is a copolymer prepared by a
condensation reaction formed by reacting a diamine and a
dicarboxylic acid. Specifically, polyamide 6,6 is a copolymer
prepared by a condensation reaction formed by reacting a diamine,
typically hexamethylenediamine, with a dicarboxylic acid, typically
adipic acid.
[0027] In one embodiment, the blend of dibasic esters can be
derived from one or more by-products in the reaction, synthesis
and/or production of adipic acid utilized in the production of
polyamide, the dibasic ester composition comprising a blend of
dialkyl esters of adipic diacids, glutaric diacids, and succinic
diacids. In one embodiment, a blend of esters is derived from
by-products in the reaction, synthesis and/or production of
hexamethylenediamine utilized in the production of polyamide,
typically polyamide 6,6. In one embodiment, a blend of dibasic
esters is derived or taken from the methylglutaronitrile product
stream in the manufacture of adiponitrile; the blend includes
dialkyl esters of methylglutaric diacids, ethylsuccinic diacids
and, optionally, adipic diacids.
[0028] In an embodiment, the boiling point of the one or more
dibasic esters ranges from about 120.degree. C. to about
450.degree. C. In one embodiment, the boiling point of the one or
more dibasic esters ranges from about 160.degree. C. to about
400.degree. C.; in one embodiment, the range is from about
210.degree. C. to about 290.degree. C.; in another embodiment, the
range is from about 210.degree. C. to about 245.degree. C.; in
another embodiment, the range is from about 215.degree. C. to about
225.degree. C. In one embodiment, the boiling point range is from
about 210.degree. C. to about 390.degree. C., more typically from
about 280.degree. C. to about 390.degree. C., more typically from
about 295.degree. C. to about 390.degree. C. In one embodiment,
boiling point is from about 215.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C.,
typically from about 220.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C.
[0029] In one embodiment, the boiling point of the one or more
dibasic esters ranges from about 300.degree. C. to about
330.degree. C. In another embodiment, the boiling point range of
the one or more dibasic esters ranges from about 295.degree. C. to
about 310.degree. C.
[0030] In other embodiments, the composition includes a blend of at
least one alcohol alkoxylate, an amphoteric surfactant, and a
solvent. In an embodiment, the composition includes an alcohol
alkoxylate, a betaine amphoteric surfactant, and a partially water
soluble solvent. In certain embodiments, the partially water
soluble solvent is an alcohol.
[0031] While specific embodiments are discussed, the specification
is illustrative only and not restrictive. Many variations of this
disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
review of this specification.
[0032] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one
of skill in the art to which this specification pertains.
[0033] As used in the specification and claims, the singular form
"a", "an" and "the" includes plural references unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise.
[0034] As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the term
"about" or "approximately" means an acceptable error for a
particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,
which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined.
In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" means
within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments,
the term "about" or "approximately" means within 50%, 20%, 15%,
10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given
value or range.
[0035] Also, it should be understood that any numerical range
recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed
therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include
all sub-ranges between and including the recited minimum value of 1
and the recited maximum value of 10; that is, having a minimum
value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or
less than 10. Because the disclosed numerical ranges are
continuous, they include every value between the minimum and
maximum values. Unless expressly indicated otherwise, the various
numerical ranges specified in this application are
approximations.
[0036] The present disclosure will further be described by
reference to the following examples. The following examples are
merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. Unless
otherwise indicated, all percentages are by weight of the total
composition.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Amphoteric Surfactants as Non-Emulsifiers
[0037] Performance of various amphoteric surfactants as
non-emulsifiers was tested. In each test, 4 mL of surfactant or
surfactant in solvent was combined with a brine (15% HCl) and 4 mL
of Texas Sweet crude oil in a 12 mL test tube. A control sample
containing just brine and crude oil was also tested. Test tubes
containing the test or control samples were mixed on a wrist action
shaker (12 position) for 2 hours. Oil-water separation was
monitored over time (% separation of aqueous phase). The results of
amphoterics tested at 1 GPT and 2 GPT in 15% HCl are shown in Table
1. Fatty acid amidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, and
butylether hydroxypropyl sultaine were able to break oil-water
emulsions effectively.
[0038] In separate tests, cocamidopropyl betaine was combined with
benzyl alcohol as a co-solvent. Non-emulsification performance of
this combination was tested with various amounts of benzyl alcohol
using the above-described protocol. As shown in Table 1,
cocamidopropyl betaine with benzyl alcohol exhibited surprisingly
improved non-emulsification performance in comparison with
surfactant-only non-emulsifier compositions.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Oil/Water Separation (%) in 15% HCl
Formulation Control 1 GPT 2 GPT J557 (Fatty acid amidopropyl
betaine) 0 >50 >75 Mackam 35 (Cocamidopropyl betaine) 0
>75 >75 Mirataine ASC (Butylether 0 >75 >75
hydroxypropyl sultaine) Mackam CB-35 (coco betaine) 0 >75 >75
Mackam LAB (Lauryl betaine) 0 >75 >75 Miranol JBS (Disodium 0
0 0 capryloampho dipropionate) 20% Mackam 35 + 10% Benzyl Alc. 0
>90 -- 20% Mackam 35 + 20% Benzyl Alc. 0 >90 -- 20% Mackam 35
+ 30% Benzyl Alc. 0 >90 --
Comparative Example 1
Compositions Without Amphoteric Surfactant and Solvent
[0039] Compositions A and B were prepared without amphoteric
surfactants or alcohol solvents:
TABLE-US-00002 Composition A Composition B Pentex .RTM. 99 11.5
Marconol .RTM. SP-77 L 37 Rhodiasolv .RTM. Infinity 9 Rhodasurf
.RTM. BC-840 (%) 13 Marconol .RTM. 113 (%) 3.5 Water (%) 50
Rhodasurf .RTM. BC-840 (%) 13 Water (%) 63
[0040] Pentex.RTM. 99 (now known as Geropon 99) is a sodium dioctyl
sulfosuccinate with a small amount of propylene glycol,
2-ethylhexanol, and isopropyl alcohol. Rhodiasolv.RTM. Infinity is
a blend of diester solvents (dimethyl methylglutarate, dimethyl
ethylsuccinate and dimethyl adipate), with surfactants
Rhodasurf.RTM. DA-630 (isodecyl alcohol ethoxylate) and
Rhodoclean.RTM. EFC (terpene EO/PO with polyethyleneglycol).
Marconol.RTM. 113 is short ethoxylated alcohol. Rhodasurf.RTM.
BC-840 is a non-ionic surfactant that is an ethoxylated tridecyl
alcohol. Marconol SP-77 L is a proprietary alcohol oxyalkylate
blend containing C6 ethoxylate-EO, Marconol.RTM. 113,
2-ethylhexanol, and C-18-25 alkoxylate (PO/EO).
[0041] Minor issues were observed with both compositions such as
oil wetting in Composition A, in CaCl.sub.2 on limestone and
stability in Composition B at 10 GPT in KCl.
Example 2
Broad Spectrum Non-Emulsifiers
[0042] Compositions C and D were prepared:
TABLE-US-00003 Composition C Composition D (final blend contains
(final blend contains approximately 36.3% approximately 50% actives
and 63.7% water) actives and 50% water) Pentex .RTM. 99 8.1
Marconol .RTM. SP-77 L 58.8 Rhodiasolv .RTM. 6.6 (50% Infinity (%)
actives) Marconol .RTM. 113 (%) 1.0 Mackam .RTM. 35 (%) 29.4 Mackam
.RTM. 35 (%) 29.4 (30% (30% actives) actives) Benzyl Alcohol (%)
5.9 Benzyl Alcohol (%) 5.9 Rhodasurf .RTM. 5.9 Rhodasurfp BC-840
(%) 5.9 BC-840 (%) Water (%) 43.1
[0043] Compositions C and D were evaluated for non-emulsification
performance with a range of crude oils according to the protocol in
Example 1 in 15% HCl or 2% KCl brine at a use concentration of 2
gpt. Mackam.RTM. 35 is a cocamidopropyl betaine. As shown in Table
2, compositions containing cocamidopropyl betaine and benzyl
alcohol demonstrated effective, broad spectrum non-emulsification
performance in HCl and KCl brines over a wide range of crude
oils.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Oil/Water Separation (%) in 15% HCl
Composition Composition Composition Composition C C D D (15% HCl)
(2% KCl) (15% HCl) (2% KCl) Control 0 <25 0 <25 (No non-
emulsifier) Maverick >90 >90 -- -- Canyon sand >90 >90
>90 >90 Wolfcamp >90 >90 >90 >90 Clearfork >90
>90 >90 >90 Sprayberry >90 >90 >90 >90 Cline
Shale 0 >90 0 >90 N. Texas >90 >90 >90 >90 Bakken
>90 -- -- -- TX. Sweet >75 >90 >75 >90 Troika >90
>90 >90 >90
[0044] Phase stability tests were also conducted on Composition D
in 2% KCl, 5% NH.sub.4Cl, and 15% HCl at 10 gpt. All three
solutions were found to be phase stable over 25 hours at room
temperature.
[0045] Wettability tests on Compositions C and D were also
conducted. Composition C showed no staining (water wet) in all
brines (2% KCl, 3% CaCl.sub.2 at pH 2, and 15% HCl) on sandstone
while staining oil-wet with limestone in 2% KCl and 3% CaCl.sub.2
at pH 2. Composition D showed no staining (water wet) for limestone
and sandstone for all brines tested.
[0046] The disclosed subject matter has been described with
reference to specific details of particular embodiments thereof. It
is not intended that such details be regarded as limitations upon
the scope of the disclosed subject matter except insofar as and to
the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
[0047] Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described herein are
well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as
those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments
disclosed above are illustrative only, as the exemplary embodiments
described herein may be modified and practiced in different but
equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the
benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown,
other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore
evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed
above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations
are considered within the scope and spirit of the exemplary
embodiments described herein. The exemplary embodiments described
herein illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in
the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed
herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While
compositions and methods are described in terms of "comprising,"
"containing," or "including" various components or steps, the
compositions and methods can also "consist essentially of" or
"consist of" the various components, substances and steps. As used
herein the term "consisting essentially of" shall be construed to
mean including the listed components, substances or steps and such
additional components, substances or steps which do not materially
affect the basic and novel properties of the composition or method.
In some embodiments, a composition in accordance with embodiments
of the present disclosure that "consists essentially of" the
recited components or substances does not include any additional
components or substances that alter the basic and novel properties
of the composition. If there is any conflict in the usages of a
word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other
documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the
definitions that are consistent with this specification should be
adopted.
* * * * *